John Swinney linked to Holyrood postage scandal after leaked Whatsapps show office manager discussing 'stamp fairy'

THE First Minister has to been linked to the postage stamp expenses scandal after his office manager told SNP colleagues “the stamp fairy” was very helpful when it came to campaigning.

Leaked WhatsApp messages obtained by the Sunday Mail, show that a number of high profile MSPs' staff discussing the use of stamps during election campaigns.

Elaine Wylie, who has worked for John Swinney for decades was asked by Drugs Minister Christine McKelvie’s office manager Marianne Paton what she should do with an abundance of postage stamps.

Wylie responded: “The stamp fairy is very useful when it comes to campaigns” and ended the message with a winking emoji with its tongue sticking out.

Paton said: “Hahaha I know, even that won’t make a dent in them. I’ll whisper the amount I have next time we meet”.

Holyrood has launched an investigation after claims that MSPs postage stamps - paid for by the taxpayer - may have been have been used for general election campaigning by the SNP.

As well as working for Swinney, Wylie has worked for Pete Wishart, who is seeking re-election as an MP to Westminster in Perth and Kinross-shire.

Campaign material sent out by Wishart and given to the Sunday Mail has physical postage stamps on it including a leaflet issued in the past month with a Christmas-themed stamp. Wishart denies using any parliamentary resources for his campaign.

Strict rules state postage paid for using MSP expenses can only be used for parliamentary work and not by other people or for political campaigning and there are claims that the SNP bulk-bought stamps on parliamentary expenses for years before passing them on to be used for political campaigning in Holyrood and Westminster elections.

The April 17 messages, written a month before the general election was announced, were part of an ‘Office Manager chat’ WhatsApp group.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie called the claims “deeply concerning” and Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie said Swinney needed to come clean about what he knows.

Baillie said: “The SNP has a long record of failing to treat public money with respect and uphold the standards of transparency we all expect.”

Rennie said: “If these allegations are accurate, the First Minister will need to say whether he knew about the SNP’s use of taxpayer funded resources for campaigning purposes. I hope that an impartial investigation by parliamentary authorities can be completed as swiftly as possible and any potential misconduct addressed appropriately.”

A source told the Sunday Mail the WhatsApp group where the messages came from is now being purged of members as the party tries to find out who reported the alleged fraud to parliament.

The settings on the group chat have been amended since April so they now automatically delete messages after a short time although those sent before the change remain visible to everyone in the group.

Thousands of stamps have been bought by MSPs despite parliament making clear that Holyrood’s internal franking system - which is more cost effective but cannot be abused - is more cost effective.

MSPs get an allowance of £5500 a year for postage and stationery with MSPs from every party - including First Minister Swinney - previously claiming the maximum amount according to parliamentary documents.

A source said: “Parliament has its own franking service which means legitimate letters being sent in connection with parliamentary business can be sent using the cheaper pre-paid method.

“However rather than use this system - which can only be used for the declared use - staffers have been told to bulk buy thousands of stamps on taxpayer funded expenses.

“While some may be used for their declared use the vast majority are then stockpiled for later use in elections for campaigning purposes.

“This is obviously completely wrong and breaking the rules in all sorts of ways. Firstly it is highly illegal to fraudulently claim on expenses for stamps which have not been used in connection with parliamentary business.

“Secondly if MPs or MSPs have then been using these stamps for electioneering and not declaring the spending to the Electoral Commission then that would be completely against the rules too.

“Any MSP who has been buying stamps on expenses rather than using the more cost effective franking system should be asked to explain why they have been wasting public money.”

Posters in Parliament located in lifts and on walls next to MSP offices make clear that the “mailroom franking services offers even bigger savings from your Engagement Allowance” following stamp price increases in April.

It makes clear that 34p per item would be saved when posting more than 250 items, meaning hundreds of pounds could be saved on bulk mailing.

The original complaint sent to parliamentary watchdogs on Thursday May 20 showed a screenshot of a conversation in the “Office manager chat” WhatsApp group between employees of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, SNP Depute leader Keith Brown, communities minister Shirley-Anne Somerville and MSP Rona Mackay discussing whether stamps were “traceable”.

A person called “Paul” in the group, believed to be an employee of MSP Rona Mackay, asked if the “new stamps are traceable”.

Paul Leinster, SNP councillor for Langside who also works for Sturgeon, replied saying: “Like who purchased them and what they’re being used for?”.

Keith Brown’s part-time office manager Ellen Forson, who is also an SNP councillor in Clackmannanshire, responded: “I asked Rab in the mailroom and he said no”.

“Paul” replied: “Can they be traced back to who purchased them?”.

John Docherty, who works for MSP Bill Kidd, responded: “Not aware that they can”.

Somerville’s employee Cameron Crawford replied: “If they can then a few people may be up in front of the corporate body”.

Leinster is associated with Glasgow South SNP candidate Stuart McDonald’s campaign but McDonald insisted he has bought his own stamps.

He said: “The stamps we have used were purchased by my campaign. I know my campaign team has acted entirely properly.”

Pete Wishart said: “My campaign has not used any parliamentary resources - including stamps.”

The SNP was asked if it had carried out its own investigation into whether any parliamentary resources had been provided to any of its candidates standing for Westminster.

The party was also asked why John Swinney’s office manager made comments about a “stamp fairy” but neither of our questions were answered.

A spokeswoman said: “The Parliamentary rules are crystal clear that materials, including stamps, can only be used for Parliamentary purposes such as representing constituents and campaigning on their behalf.

“These exchanges, whilst obviously light-hearted, are being investigated as is appropriate and we would expect the offices of MSPs of all parties to cooperate with the Parliamentary Corporate Body.”

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